COMMENTS

"War," released early in 1983, was U2's fullest and loudest album yet -- an album that started to separate the band from their New Wave peers. On this album, U2 both embraced and began wrestling with the identity of a Band with a Mission. Prior to this, their albums had featured oblique statements or pictures of uncertainty (the turmoil of adolescence on "Boy", the spiritual uncertainty of "October"). On "War," the band clearly and defiantly wrestled with the punk rock questions of politics, war, and personal/national identity. The faith that the band is famously known for kept them from embracing nihilism, and instead -- impossibly -- to land on notes of grace and hope. As a result, an album that features militaristic rhythms frequently resolves on hopeful submission. The fire of "Sunday Bloody Sunday" melts to the impatient faith of "40," while the uncertainty of "Two Hearts Beat As One" is answered by the elegaic "Surrender." These may not be rebel songs in the traditional sense, but in light of the faith that fuels each song, this may be the most rebellious U2 would ever be. The album was remastered in 2008 and released with a bonus disc of B-sides, showing an early and experimental side of the band. Long before the umpteenth Hexidecimal mix of "Discotheque," U2 was experimenting with remixes on both "Two Hearts Beat As One" and "New Year's Day". As a result, it's a fascinating release, and one essential for U2 fans old and new.

jordanlee_24

25 August, 2012

War - an already legendary album made be

War has always been, for me, one of the best U2 albums of all time, from the loud militaristic drumbeat of "Sunday Bloody Sunday" to the quiet, atmospheric and beautiful "Drowning Man" (my personal favourite - gives me goosebumps), every song on this album is fantastic.
I never thought this album could get any better until they released this deluxe edition which includes the fantastic previously unreleased song "Angels Too Tied To The Ground". What I love about this track is that Bono
re-recorded his vocals for this reissue while maintaining the original music in the track recorded in 1983, it just sounds phenomenal, very underrated and unexpectedly awesome track!
I also loved the inclusion of "Endless Deep" - a b-side which I hadn't heard before and upon listening to it, it's now in my favourite U2 song-list! Adam singing too!
Overall, not only is this a timeless album but the reissue only makes this album more exciting by including the extra songs/remixes and even after many reissues being released now, it's still firmly my favourite U2 reissue! Not to mention the sound quality is nothing less than brilliant, Great job guys!